I'll list 10 things:
#1 (and this is a selfish one) I've banked a lot of my 1st rounds of CMC and Lamb being their 2023 selves and not 2024. Fully confident in them (1st and 3rd overall on my board) but obviously want to see it in action.
#2 Eagles new OC. They will obviously be more pass heavy than last season (they were the most run heavy team since the 1984 Bears) but how much more? I'm wondering if the fantasy community was too low on all of AJ, Smith, Goedert. Dallas on Thursday Night would be a good time to debut a more pass heavy (really just balanced) offense.
#3 Just how bad is the Bengals defense? Joe Burrow had the 20th most pass attempts in NFL history last season. If the defense struggles vs Cleveland, I'll be wondering he might throw 700+ times, if so, he and Higgins were probably undervalued.
#4 Can the Ravens keep it up? I was surprised there wasn't WAY more interest in Todd Monken as a HC this offseason. The year before he took over the Ravens scored 33 TDs, that went up to 53 in his 1st year, and 62 last year. What used to be Tucker FGs became TDs, and Lamar has taken a huge step up, looking like prime Steve Young these last 2 seasons. Primetime against the Bills (who they choked against in the playoffs) will show us a lot.
#5 The 2022 Bucs had 31 TDs in Brady's last season, in 2023 they had 36 in Baker's 1st season, then last year they 57. How much of that is Liam Coen? I feel like there is a lot of people liking Irving, Evans, Egbuka, because the offense may only run through those 3 guys the 1st half of the season, but how big will the pie be, especially sans Wirfs? Be a little concerning if they struggle to score against Atlanta.
#6 I feel like KC is gonna have the biggest chip on their shoulder (more chip than shoulder) after being embarrassed in the Super Bowl. However, need to see it in action. Kinda wonder if they just stomp the Chargers on next Friday. Also think Kelce isn't near as washed as people think he is and will be another strong bounce back candidate, after I think being a little out of shape last season. If he doesn't do it while Rice is out, then I'm probably wrong.
#7 Was Dak just hurt last year, and how will Pickens be used on an offense likely to be trailing a lot. Are the Cowboys gonna be the Kirkland Brand Bengals? If they can score on Philly, they can score on anyone.
#8 Green Bay certainly pushed all their chips onto the table with the Parsons trade, its gonna be a bad feeling if they still lose to the Lions. Also, who (if anyone?) steps up in the passing game? They have a young breakout TE, and a 1st round WR, but has the issue been LaFleur wants it spread around, or just that nobody has stepped up? He certainly didn't seem shy about heavily feeding Adams when he was there, but was that Rodgers or LaFleur? I think Kraft and Golden drafters are gonna be REALLY interested in that Lions game.
#9 Bo Nix tore up down the stretch and has another year of seasoning in Sean Payton's dojo. Does he take another leap or does the new look running game take center stage? They should be able to dictate whatever they want against the Titans, which for my money is probably the week 1 survivor pick, especially if you wanna save Philly.
#10 Was Bryce Young's solid finish a player making the leap, or just a mirage? He mixed in nice games in almost upsets against KC/TB/Phi, with some awful games against Dal/TB, and beat some bad defenses in Ari/Atl. Now he's got a new #1, and suddenly he's kinda the veteran in the pass game, with a rookie WR, 2 2nd year guys, and a 2nd year TE. Jacksonville is a very beatable defense, if he (and the offense in general) comes out struggling, Hubbard/McMillan drafters may have bought a little too high.
